Primary school teacher's knowledge and attitudes toward children with epilepsy

• Published in: Seizure (London, England) England), 2014-04, Vol.23 (4), p.280-283
• Main Authors: Abulhamail, Albaraa S, Al-Sulami, Fahad E, Alnouri, Mouneeb A, Mahrous, Najeeb M, Joharji, Dima G, Albogami, Maha M, Jan, Mohammed M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude; Child; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - psychology; Faculty; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Surveys; Humans; Knowledge; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Random Allocation; School; Statistics as Topic; Students - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teacher; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1059-1311; 1532-2688
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.12.010

Abstract Purpose Primary school teacher's knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy can have significant impact on the performance and psycho-social development of the child with epilepsy. Our objectives were to study teacher's knowledge and attitudes and identify areas in which further teacher training and education are required. Methods A stratified random sample survey involving a group of primary school teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia included private/public schools designated for male and female students. A structured 37-item questionnaire was used to examine their demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and experience with epilepsy. Results Six hundred and twenty primary school teachers working in public (58%) or private (42%) schools were included with ages ranging between 21 and 59 years (mean 36). Most teachers (79%) were of Saudi Arabian nationality and 66% had a college or university degree. Their years of experience ranged from 1 to 35 (mean 13.5). Only 17% of the teachers felt very well informed about epilepsy. Teachers with higher education were more likely to have good knowledge ( p = 0.009). Teachers of Saudi nationality were also more likely to report good knowledge, independent of their educational level ( p = 0.013). Overall, teachers with good knowledge were less likely to have negative attitudes including minding to have an epileptic child in their class ( p = 0.028) or thinking that they should be placed in a special classroom ( p = 0.029). Conclusions Primary school teacher's knowledge about epilepsy needs improvements. Their attitudes correlated highly with their knowledge. Educational campaigns about epilepsy are needed to develop a well informed and tolerant community.